Lesson 1 – Clicker Training Course | Animal Training AcademyAnimal Training Academy

WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME.

Welcome to clicker training fundamentals. I am so happy to have you here inside this very special course to help evolve your animal training skills. We are going to learn a lot in the next 11 lessons. Before we get “officially started” though I just want to take this opportunity to extend a virtual handshake. Congratulations to you on making the decision to develop yourself. I guarantee that this is going to be a lot of fun and we are going to learn a lot throughout the course. lets dive in.

Ryan Cartlidge – Animal Training Academy

The clicker training challenge.

This is lesson one. This clicker training course is designed to help you flourish with all your clicker training endeavors. The course consists of 11 Lessons. Each lesson contains video content, written information and quizzes. The clicker training course is designed to be fun and simultaneously teach you how to effectively use the clicker.

Here’s what you will learn in this Clicker Training Course.

What reinforcement is and how it works.
The different kinds of reinforcement (primary and secondary).
How to develop secondary reinforcers with your animals (i.e. the clicker).
How to tell if your animal understands what the clicker means.
Your responsibilities to your animal when using a clicker.
Why to use a clicker.
Pros and cons of using the clicker compared to alternatives (whistles and your voice).
When a clicker is really beneficial in training new behaviors.
How to break behavior up into more learnable chunks.
How to write training plans for your animals.
How to shape new behavior.
Lots of different examples of using the clicker with various animals and behaviors.
And more…..

My clicker training challenge for you.

For me, if there was one thing I would want you to take away from this course, it would be a greater understanding of how/why clickers works. Understanding this will help you use the clicker correctly and become a better Animal Trainer.

The truth is, anyone has the potential to train an animal. There are of course significant variations between people. Some people are naturally better at responding to behaviour. Some people are naturally better at timing. The same way that some people are naturally better at singing. Or writing. Like singing and writing however, these skills can be developed. This is why it’s extremely important for you to practice your training. Like any skill, practice builds confidence through repetition.

Also don’t be afraid to make mistakes. There is a saying I like that has to do with Science. Training is behavioral science and I think it fits quite nicely here. It goes something like this.

If your not making mistakes, your doing it wrong. If your not correcting your mistakes your doing it really wrong. If you can’t admit your making mistakes your not doing it at all! “

At the end of this course, it’s your responsibility to practice and practice and practice. This is what I challenge you to do. By the time you have finished this course you will understand how the clicker works and be able to apply it correctly. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and have fun.